Jones County man uses toothpick to create art

"Somehow I decided to try a toothpick, and I've been using it ever since," said Bustin.

He has been painting for over forty years, and the themes of his paintings range from wildlife to civil war era to anything in his imagination, all using a toothpick.

"I just like drawing," said Bustin. "There's another one I'm going to start on after this one."

His sister-in-law, Karen, said he spends all day painting, sometimes even working through meals.

"I think he knows he's pretty good, but I don't think he realizes how good he is," she said.

Bustin paints mostly on poster board. He's tried canvas, but he doesn't like the texture. Each project starts off as a pencil sketch, then he outlines it in black and then puts the color.

"To me, it's a miracle," said Jones County Sheriff Chief of Operations Jamie Tedford. "It's not a painting, it's truly a miracle to look at that."

Bustin has spent a lot of time at the sheriff's office, coming to work with his sister-in-law after moving in with her and his brother. He's become a buddy to the deputies and even has a painting of the department framed in the lobby.

"What's been most moving to me has been spiritually," said Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge. "I think this is a God-given talent."

Each painting has intricate detail- waterfalls traveling through forests, stars in the galaxy and reflections of boats in a lake.

"He's just amazing," said Karen. "It is a blessing for us to have him. I love him, and he is just special."

A bridge on County Road 12 in Jasper County deemed unsafe by the federal government has already been closed. Photo credit WDAM.

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The cast of "Selma The Musical: The Untold Stories" performed a song for Mississippi native Robin Roberts on the Good Morning America after show Monday and will appear on a live segment of the show on Thursday. (Photo source: Jana Paige Haynes)

A Hattiesburg theater group is in New York this week to perform their independent musical at the National Black Theater. The cast of "Selma The Musical: The Untold Stories" performed a song for Mississippi native Robin Roberts on the Good Morning America after show Monday and will appear on a segment of the show on Thursday. Robin Roberts Writer, producer and director Jana Paige Haynes said the experience in New York has been amaz...

A Hattiesburg theater group is in New York this week to perform their independent musical at the National Black Theater. The cast of "Selma The Musical: The Untold Stories" performed a song for Mississippi native Robin Roberts on the Good Morning America after show Monday and will appear on a segment of the show on Thursday. Robin Roberts Writer, producer and director Jana Paige Haynes said the experience in New York has been amaz...

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The US Food and Drug Administration health is warning parents about the risks of teething remedies.

The Golden Eagles will conclude spring drills at noon Saturday with the annual Black and Gold Game at M.M. Roberts Stadium.

Weather issues have re-arranged the schedule of the 2018 Conference USA Baseball Championship at MGM Park. With four, separate lightning delays pushing Wednesday’s games back by more than 6 ½ hours, only one game of the four scheduled was completed.

Weather issues have re-arranged the schedule of the 2018 Conference USA Baseball Championship at MGM Park. With four, separate lightning delays pushing Wednesday’s games back by more than 6 ½ hours, only one game of the four scheduled was completed.